CHRISTMAS DAY 2024

On Christmas Day we went over to Adam and Gabby's around 4pm. I must say we had a wonderful time. We talked for awhile and James showed us what Santa brought him.  

We had some snacks and then we opened presents. I should have taken a picture of the two IKEA bags filled with presents that we brought over. 

We also face timed with Amber and Dylan.. So hard not having them here with us. 

  

James is into cars and Aunt Amber & Uncle Dylan 

got him this Porsche hat.....

Santa Adam and James

Santa James

Papa and James playing the Jenga game.

We also played Bunko which was fun.

Adam made Chicken Parmesan for dinner.

It was the best we have ever had!

Absolutely delicious. 

Also, he makes the most delicious

Chocolate Chip cookie I have ever tasted.

Seriously!!!!

In the morning before we went over to their house Mark and I opened some gifts that we bought for each other and gifts that Amber & Dylan sent us, along with some other family members.  

I do have to remember to take a picture of one of the gifts that Adam and Gabby got for me. It is so beautiful. 

THE DAY AFTER THE DAY, AFTER THE DAY ....

So today (Monday) is the day after the day (Mother's Day), after the day (Celebration Saturday), after the day (Skye's haircut)! Got that? I don't normally post on Mondays but I have too much to say, plus pictures, to do on Post It Note Tuesday.

So on Saturday we went to Los Angeles late in the day (after Amber got off work) to visit with Adam & Tristen to celebrate Mother's Day and Amber's upcoming birthday on the 18th. Originally we were just going down to celebrate Mother's Day and go to one of my favorite restaurants called Westside Tavern. Then we realized that because of other things going on over the next few weeks that this would also be the best time to celebrate Amber's 30th Birthday!

One day during the week she said to me "since we are also celebrating my birthday can't we go to the Pink Taco so I can have their fried ice cream for my dessert." I said no but deep down I knew that her 30th was more important then Mother's Day. So I changed the plans and we went to the Pink Taco but Amber didn't know that until we got there. She was thrilled!!! We enjoyed a lovely dinner there. The restaurant is in the Century City Mall so we also did some shopping after dinner which you will see in the other pictures. That is Amber wearing her brother Adam's horse head which he needs for a run next weekend. Those are our Mother's Day and birthday gifts. Also you see that duck made from a banana and pineapple? Well that was on the buffet table in a room that was set up for a party later that evening. The party was for the writer of the new movie Thor, so there is some celebrity info for you.

Here are my gifts. I got a Hallmark gift card from Skye and a Juice It Up gift card from Charlie. I also got Water for Elephants, Tangled and flowers from the kids. Mark bought me PJ's and a Ralph Lauren robe. Don't you just love getting gifts? (I do)

I just couldn't resist this tiny yellow Kalanchoe plant last week. (in order from left to right) See the cart. My grandmas had one of this, she would walk to 26th & Pulaski in Chicago to buy groceries with her cart. I've been telling Mark that I want one to take the laundry to the laundry room. I know it sounds crazy but our laundry room is the furthest away from our bedroom and I get winded carrying loads in my arms. So we found this Saturday evening at The Container Store in Los Angeles. Also found the around the neck money/I.D. holder there and I will use it for my trip. (mostly under my clothes and hidden) Next are the flowers Amber and I received. Next is an anthurium in lava rock which I received from Marite' on my bowling team for Mother's Day. Next is a clock Adam & Tristen bought, isn't it cute on their shelves? Two rings that Amber thought were cute and it was a special buy one/get one from one of those little stands as you walk around the mall. I have a hard time saying no!

So after several years in the sun and smog of Southern California it was time to buy new cushions for our patio furniture. They didn't have a matching umbrella but I think the solid brown looks great.

And of course you always enjoy seeing Skye. Well as you can see from the before picture she was in need of a haircut. So I took her in on Friday. I decided to get her cut a little shorter then I normally do because she is thickly coated and get shaggy quickly. I think she looks great. Had to go with a new girl (our girl left) and I was stressed but I think she did a great job!

So there you have it, the day after the day, after the day, after the day! So on the day, Mother's Day, I read my emails, cleared my reader and spent the rest of the day watching some shows I taped. Julia Roberts special on OWN, There Weeks, Three Kids on the Hallmark channel and The Back Up Plan on Showtime along with my new Tangled DVD! (did some laundry too!)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

So if this post looks weird or spaced wrong it's because my issues with blogger have not corrected themselves and after a very long time trying to get it right it still has a mind of its own.

SIGNS OF SPRING

Our first Bird of Paradise!

~ I got my passport ~

~ My new door mat ~

~ Cute sock monkey ~

~ Awesome ornament from Mark ~

FOR YOUR TEARS

It has been the desire of my heart for about 9 years now to provide a service to women who are suffering from the loss of a child. I have recently been working on a new blog spot which I am going to share with you today. My prayer would be that you never have to use this service because that would mean that all babies are being born healthy. If you think that this would be a nice gift all I ask is that you give my new blog a mention in a post of yours. I only have a small amount of followers where many of you have a nice following and I just want to get the word out. Thank you for stopping over, taking the time to read this post and visiting "For Your Tears."

http://wwwforyourtears.blogspot.com/

TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS